Latest Developments
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted an apparent Hezbollah drone over the Lower Galilee on June 23. The drone threat from Lebanon set off sirens in numerous Israeli communities located approximately eighteen miles south of the Israel-Lebanon border. “The IDF confirmed on Sunday the IDF had intercepted a Hezbollah drone close to Karmiel, [a city] in northern Israel. According to reports, the U[nmanned] A[erial] V[ehicle] was downed close to a Rafael Advanced Defense Systems plant nearby,” the Israeli news outlet Ynet News added.
Earlier that day, Hezbollah said it launched several explosive-laden drones toward northern Israel. “In the first incident on Sunday morning, an explosive-laden drone launched from Lebanon struck an area near the northern community of Beit Hillel, the military and local authorities said,” The Times of Israel reported. The Hezbollah attack severely wounded one IDF soldier, the IDF said.
Expert Analysis
“Hezbollah’s attacks on June 23 are an attempt by the Iranian-backed terrorist group to again show that it can strike deep into northern Israel and threaten sites linked to Israel’s defense industries. Hezbollah has increased its rhetoric in recent days threatening to attack numerous areas across Israel. These increasing threats show how Hezbollah is not deterred and will continue to escalate its attacks against Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow
“The adage ‘history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes’ appears to be playing out on the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah kicked off the 2006 Lebanon War by kidnapping two Israeli soldiers, and it is now repeating the mistake by carrying out daily attacks against northern Israel in support of Palestinian terrorist groups. Despite repeated Israeli warnings that a large-scale conflict may be imminent, Hezbollah persists in prioritizing its military support of Hamas and other Iran-backed Palestinian allies over Lebanon’s interests. This shortsighted strategy may have far-reaching and devastating consequences for Lebanon, Israel, and the region.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal
Hezbollah Stockpiles Weapons at Beirut International Airport
Hezbollah is storing large amounts of weapons at the civilian Beirut-Rafic Al Hariri International Airport in Lebanon, The Telegraph reported on June 23. “The cache allegedly includes Iranian-made Falaq artillery rockets, Fateh-110 short-range missiles, road-mobile ballistic missiles and M-600 missiles with ranges of over 150-200 missiles,” the report noted. According to the whistleblowers who spoke to The Telegraph, Hezbollah acquired the weapons via flights from Iran, and the weapons shipments have increased since Hamas’s massacre in southern Israel on October 7. Hezbollah has launched more than 5,000 projectiles targeting Israel while supporting Hamas in the wake of October 7.
“Hezbollah Threatens Cyprus Over Israel Links,” FDD Flash Brief
“Biden Administration Warns Israel Against War With Hezbollah,” FDD Flash Brief
“Hezbollah Rockets Target Northern Israeli City of Kiryat Shmona,” FDD Flash Brief
Subscribe to FDD Flash Briefs